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Newsletter |
Don't be Frightened, the CLTD is your Friend!
By: Eric Warner CA(SA) CPIM CSCP CLTD CDDPThis article looks at one person’s
experience of the APICS Certified in Logistics, Transportation and
Distribution (CLTD) course and exam, as well as considering his views
on the future and how this course delivers what our Global Supply
Chains demand.
The first thing I need to point out is that I had to study on my own. This is because, as a new certification, there were no qualified instructors and therefore no instructor-led classes available. Don’t do this unless you are very well versed in CPIM and CSCP methodologies and terminology. I am, but that is after over 27 years in this field of study!
You will be better served by attending lectures with a qualified instructor. That will give you the benefits of the instructor’s knowledge as well as the opportunity to interact with others and, from experience, this is a major benefit as it helps to contextualize and consolidate your knowledge.
While the course is not too onerous, it does require discussion and explanation that will be best supplied by an instructor. There is some overlap with the material found in the CPIM and CSCP courses, but don’t worry if you haven’t yet taken those courses, what you will need is all in the CLTD course material.
To help put the course into perspective you should understand that CPIM is aimed mainly at those employed in the detailed production environment whilst CSCP is a broad based examination of the overall supply chain. That will be of greater benefit to supply chain Management professionals. CLTD focuses on the total Logistics portion of the supply chain and how it is a key part of that overall supply chain. Those involved in Shipping, Distribution, Transportation and Warehouse Management, and related disciplines will gain the greatest benefit from the course although I feel that senior management could also gain valuable insights from CLTD for strategic planning.
Even if you are not going to study on your own, make sure that you put study time aside every day and book an exam date right up front so you have a clear target to work towards. As a guideline I would suggest you allocate 90 minutes per day, split into 3x 30 minutes chunks. That will keep your concentration up, ensure you stay fresh and can absorb what you are studying.
There are 8 modules to cover:
As this is a new course please be aware that there are still some rough edges that are being worked on, don’t worry about that – the material is well researched and tested.
The on-line learning system, included with the course material, is a very useful resource, containing practice questions for each section of the modules, so you can test yourself and keep a record of your progress as you work through the course. There are also pre- and post- tests for the overall course, which will help you to identify and concentrate on your weaknesses. Other features are flash cards, to hone your understanding of the terminology and a very realistic practice exam.
You should also try and get hold of one or two of the recommended text books. They will fill in gaps in the material and also enhance your overall knowledge.
Once you are have reached the end of the course, even if you have CPIM and/or CSCP, you will realise how much more you now know and how this will help you in your working life.
Now you are ready to write the exam. This is an on-line exam at a Pearson Vue centre. I attended the Bytes centre in Cape Town, on the Foreshore. It is well situated and professionally run. Arrive at least 20 minutes early and take only a pen (to sign in), your ID and a second form of positive ID. You can’t take anything into the exam room with you so don’t take it at all. Even your wallet and cell phone will be put into a secure locker. I was allowed a pen in the exam room but I understand that many centres do not even allow that – you are issued with a marker and a slate to make notes or do calculations. The examination software provides a pop-up calculator.
Once you have been logged on by the officials at the centre, take time to read the instructions before getting into the exam itself, this will help you get used to the screen layout and “put you in the mood”. There is plenty of time so don’t rush, read the questions carefully and be sure you understand what is wanted. The exam does not try to trick you, it just wants find out what you actually know, understand and can apply.
As soon as you have completed the exam you will be advised immediately how you have done so there is no agonizing wait for results. Congratulations on passing!! As a CLTD you will find that you have become much more valuable and marketable; that can only be good for you.
This certification is particularly relevant today with the trend towards World Wide Sourcing and World Wide markets. Those professionals who recognize and embrace this trend will be in great demand. CLTD is a great tool to help us to become experts at dealing with the trend and, in fact, shaping the trend and guiding organisations to manage their involvement with Globalisation.
We have begun to offer CLTD courses in Cape Town now that we have 3 qualified instructors; If you are interested please contact either
the writer, Eric Warner CLTD, Ken Titmuss CLTD or Colin Seftel CLTD
The first thing I need to point out is that I had to study on my own. This is because, as a new certification, there were no qualified instructors and therefore no instructor-led classes available. Don’t do this unless you are very well versed in CPIM and CSCP methodologies and terminology. I am, but that is after over 27 years in this field of study!
You will be better served by attending lectures with a qualified instructor. That will give you the benefits of the instructor’s knowledge as well as the opportunity to interact with others and, from experience, this is a major benefit as it helps to contextualize and consolidate your knowledge.
While the course is not too onerous, it does require discussion and explanation that will be best supplied by an instructor. There is some overlap with the material found in the CPIM and CSCP courses, but don’t worry if you haven’t yet taken those courses, what you will need is all in the CLTD course material.
To help put the course into perspective you should understand that CPIM is aimed mainly at those employed in the detailed production environment whilst CSCP is a broad based examination of the overall supply chain. That will be of greater benefit to supply chain Management professionals. CLTD focuses on the total Logistics portion of the supply chain and how it is a key part of that overall supply chain. Those involved in Shipping, Distribution, Transportation and Warehouse Management, and related disciplines will gain the greatest benefit from the course although I feel that senior management could also gain valuable insights from CLTD for strategic planning.
Even if you are not going to study on your own, make sure that you put study time aside every day and book an exam date right up front so you have a clear target to work towards. As a guideline I would suggest you allocate 90 minutes per day, split into 3x 30 minutes chunks. That will keep your concentration up, ensure you stay fresh and can absorb what you are studying.
There are 8 modules to cover:
- Logistics and Supply Chain Overview
- Capacity Planning and Demand Management
- Order Management
- Inventory and Warehouse Management
- Transportation
- Global Logistics Considerations
- Logistics Network Design
- Reverse Logistics and Sustainability
As this is a new course please be aware that there are still some rough edges that are being worked on, don’t worry about that – the material is well researched and tested.
The on-line learning system, included with the course material, is a very useful resource, containing practice questions for each section of the modules, so you can test yourself and keep a record of your progress as you work through the course. There are also pre- and post- tests for the overall course, which will help you to identify and concentrate on your weaknesses. Other features are flash cards, to hone your understanding of the terminology and a very realistic practice exam.
You should also try and get hold of one or two of the recommended text books. They will fill in gaps in the material and also enhance your overall knowledge.
Once you are have reached the end of the course, even if you have CPIM and/or CSCP, you will realise how much more you now know and how this will help you in your working life.
Now you are ready to write the exam. This is an on-line exam at a Pearson Vue centre. I attended the Bytes centre in Cape Town, on the Foreshore. It is well situated and professionally run. Arrive at least 20 minutes early and take only a pen (to sign in), your ID and a second form of positive ID. You can’t take anything into the exam room with you so don’t take it at all. Even your wallet and cell phone will be put into a secure locker. I was allowed a pen in the exam room but I understand that many centres do not even allow that – you are issued with a marker and a slate to make notes or do calculations. The examination software provides a pop-up calculator.
Once you have been logged on by the officials at the centre, take time to read the instructions before getting into the exam itself, this will help you get used to the screen layout and “put you in the mood”. There is plenty of time so don’t rush, read the questions carefully and be sure you understand what is wanted. The exam does not try to trick you, it just wants find out what you actually know, understand and can apply.
As soon as you have completed the exam you will be advised immediately how you have done so there is no agonizing wait for results. Congratulations on passing!! As a CLTD you will find that you have become much more valuable and marketable; that can only be good for you.
This certification is particularly relevant today with the trend towards World Wide Sourcing and World Wide markets. Those professionals who recognize and embrace this trend will be in great demand. CLTD is a great tool to help us to become experts at dealing with the trend and, in fact, shaping the trend and guiding organisations to manage their involvement with Globalisation.
We have begun to offer CLTD courses in Cape Town now that we have 3 qualified instructors; If you are interested please contact either
the writer, Eric Warner CLTD, Ken Titmuss CLTD or Colin Seftel CLTD